Walkerton ponders how it can improve

September 23, 2006|JOSHUA STOWE Tribune Staff Writer

WALKERTON -- Walkerton wants your creativity now, as it brainstorms on how it can improve. Today's meeting is the public kickoff for an ambitious partnership the town has formed with Ball State University. It's working with the school's Community-Based Projects program in an attempt to revitalize its downtown area, upgrade its infrastructure, update its zoning code and guide its comprehensive plan. "I think we're getting a much broader overview, a much broader perspective from outside than we've gotten in the past," said Steve Heim, executive director of the Walkerton Area Economic Development Corp. "I'm really hoping that we can embrace this as a community." Heim says the arrangement is meant to help Walkerton prioritize its projects, drawing on the expertise of architecture students and faculty from Ball State. "They might see problems or opportunities that we miss because we're here every day," he said. "And this is their profession. They know what other communities have tried and succeeded in, and what they're tried and failed in." Since 1966, Community-Based Projects has helped some 75 Hoosier communities on hundreds of projects, Heim said. Walkerton is paying $15,000 to work with the university, he said, adding that the arrangement will allow Walkerton to consult with Ball State on future projects. Today, he said, Walkerton wants to hear input from local people as it begins the planning process. "Lots of people have ideas on what they'd like to see happen," Heim said.Staff writer Joshua Stowe: jstowe@sbtinfo.com (574) 235-6359